ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Status report on Avian Influenza in Kerala in ducks and report of avian influenza in crows/wild/ migratory birds in the country
This is regarding updated status of control and containment operation Avian Influenza in villages of Thalavady South, Thakazhi, Pallipad, Karuvattaindistrict of Alappuzha and village of Neendoor in district of Kottayam, Kerala.
As per the report received, a total of 5 RRTs have been deployed in above-said 4 epicentres of district of Alappuzha and 8 RRTs at epicentre Neendoorin district of Kottayam for culling.
A total of 17326 birds  have been culled and a total of 1570 kg feed have been destroyed in epicentres of district of Alappuzha. At epicenter in district of Kottayam 4229 birds have been culled and a total of 8 kg feed and 42 eggs have been destroyed on 6.01.2021 .
Further, some samples of crow from Kale Hanumanji Forest Nakka, Jaipur, Rajasthan found positive for H5N8 Avian influenza virus. Accordingly, advisories have been issued to the States so as to avoid further spread of disease to poultry. Unusual moralities have been found in 7111 domestic birds in Haryana, 150 wild birds in Madhya Pradesh, 10 crows in Gujarat, 336 migratory birds in Himachal Pradesh today.
As per report received from Haryana, a total of 430267 birds have been died in Barwala, panchkula in past 25 days and the samples have been sent to the designated laboratory for testing, the results are still awaited. State has constituted 59 RRTs to control and contain the disease.
APS/MG
Cabinet
Cabinet empowers the Board of Directors of the Holding / Parent Public Sector Enterprises to recommend and undertake the process for Disinvestment / closure of their subsidiaries / units / stake in JVs and additional delegation of powers to Alternative Mechanism
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal for empowering the Board of Directors of the Holding / Parent Public Sector Enterprises to recommend and undertake the process for Disinvestment  or closure of any of their subsidiaries / units / stake in JVs. The Cabinet has also empowered Alternative Mechanism to accord ‘in principle’ approval for disinvestment  / closure of subsidiaries / units /sale of stakes in JVs of Holding / Parent PSEs [except the disinvestment  of Maharatna PSEs which was delegated to them and review the process of disinvestment / closure by Parent / Holding PSEs.
The process for undertaking the strategic disinvestment transactions / closures to be followed by the PSEs should be open, based on the principles of competitive bidding and consistent with the guiding principles to be laid down. For strategic disinvestment, such guiding principles will be laid down by DIPAM. For closure, DPE shall issue guiding principles.
Presently, the Board of Directors of Holding / Parent PSEs have been delegated certain powers under the Maharatna, Navratna and Miniratna categories to make equity investment to establish financial joint ventures and wholly-owned subsidiaries and undertake mergers / acquisitions subject to certain ceilings of net-worth. However, the Boards do not have powers for disinvestment / closure of their subsidiaries / units/ stake in JVs, except some limited powers given to Maharatna PSEs for minority stake disinvestment of shareholding in their subsidiaries. Therefore, approval of the Cabinet / CCEA was needed by Holding / Parent CPSEs, for disinvestment  / closure of their subsidiaries / units or sale of their stakes in a JV, irrespective of the size of operations / capital deployed of such subsidiaries, etc. In line with the spirit of the new PSE policy, 2021 to minimize presence of Government PSEs and for functional requirement, further delegation in this matter have been provided through this decision.
The proposal intends to reform the functioning of PSEs, by allowing greater autonomy to the Board of Directors of the Holding PSEs for taking decisions and recommend for timely existing from their investment in Subsidiaries / Units or JVs, which will enable them to monetize their investment in such subsidiaries/units/JVs at an opportune time or close their loss-making and inefficient subsidiary/unit/JV at right time. This will result in expeditious decision making and saving of wasteful operational/financial expenditure by the PSEs.
President's Secretariat
President of India presents Gandhi Peace Prize
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, presented the Gandhi Peace Prize for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 in the presence of the Prime Minister and other dignitaries, at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
The Gandhi Peace Prize was presented to the Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari for 2015, jointly to the Akshaya Patra Foundation and the Sulabh International for 2016, to the Ekal Abhiyan Trust for 2017, and to Shri Yohei Sasakawa for 2018.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Gandhian thinking, Gandhian modes of struggle and Gandhian ideals of achieving human liberty by conciliation, by appealing to the conscience of the opponent, have influenced some of the greatest of our age. From Martin Luther King Jr in the United States to Nelson Mandela in South Africa and Lech Walesa in Poland, a dazzling galaxy of statespersons has learnt and borrowed from Gandhiji. Gandhiji and his thoughts are invaluable to any understanding of contemporary human history, and of the quest to redress oppression and inequity.
The President said that Mahatma Gandhi remains relevant to 21st century concerns as well. In his advocacy of sustainability, ecological sensitivity and living in harmony with nature, he anticipated some of the pressing challenges of our times. The Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations are Gandhian philosophy in action. India’s pivotal role in the International Solar Alliance and its domestic Swachh Bharat Mission – aimed at the universalisation of modern sanitation – too are reflective of Gandhiji.
Pointing to the contributions made by the awardees, the President said that the Vivekananda Centre has promoted self-help, sustainability and development throughout our country, especially in areas populated by tribal communities. It has built capacities in education and health, and in a sensitive and meaningful approach to rural development and harnessing of natural resources. The Akshaya Patra Foundation has advanced education and cognition by working to remove hunger and enhance nutrition. It has leveraged modern technology to provide quality meals to schoolchildren. The Sulabh International and its founder Dr Bindeshwar Pathak were sanitation pioneers, advocating the merits of sanitation and advocating toilets in days and years when not many others were. The Ekal Abhiyan Trust is helping 2.2 million children – 52 per cent of them girls – access education. Many of its initiatives benefit tribal communities. Mr Yohei Sasakawa has been instrumental in helping us win crucial battles in the war against leprosy – to prevent and eradicate the disease, and to end stigma and discrimination.
Text of President’s address in English
Text of President’s address in Hindi
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Assistance to MSMEs sector
As per the information available in the SAMADHAN portal, as on 03.02.2022, the total outstanding payments to the Micro and Small Sector since 01.04.2020 is Rs 11,741.21 crore.
Ministry of MSME has notified the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development  Act, 2006, which provides for setting up of Micro & Small Enterprises Facilitation Councils  in the States/UTs to deal with cases of delayed payments of the Micro and Small Enterprises . Ministry has also launched a web portal called ‘SAMADHAAN’ on 30.10.2017 for monitoring of the outstanding dues to the MSEs from the buyers of goods and services. In addition to this, a special sub-portal within SAMADHAAN portal was also launched on 14.06.2020 for monitoring the dues and monthly payments by Ministries/Departments of Government of India and CPSEs to the MSMEs. Ministry of MSME also takes up the issues of delayed payments to MSEs with States/Union Territories from time to time.
The Government of India has announced a series of measures under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat to support the economy, especially the MSME sector. This inter-alia includes  Rs. 20,000 crore Subordinate Debt for stressed MSMEs;  Rs. 50,000 crore equity infusion through MSME Fund of Funds ;  3 lakh crore Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  for Businesses, including MSMEs ;  New Definition of MSME  No Global tenders for Government procurements upto Rs. 200 crore.
Ministry of MSME implements Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises under which new and existing Micro and Small Enterprises engaged in manufacturing or service activity can avail collateral free loans upto an amount of Rs. 200 lakh from Banks and Member Lending Institutions.
This information was given by Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Narayan Rane in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Abrogation of Article 370 is historical;Our government is committed to the development of Minorities and SC/ST's : Ramadas Athawale
Reviewed the progress of social welfare schemes in Telangana
Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale said Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was against the article 370 and believed in One Nation and One Constitution.
Minister praised Prime Minister in taking historical decisions to scrape Article 370. He acclaimed about various Welfare Programmes launched by Union Government. In the last 5 years Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana  88,19,184 houses were approved and 2,11,939 houses are sanctioned and under PMJDY near about 37 cr bank accounts were opened and near about 79 lakh bank accounts were opened in Telangana. 10, 75,166 ujwala yojana beneficiaries are in Telangana, the Minister added.
The Minister requested the Telangana Government to control the SC/ST Atrocities in the state, which are alarmingly rising in the state.
The Minister also spoke about the steps to Make India free of manual scavenging.There are nearly 53,000 people involved in manual scavenging throughout the country. We are giving Rs. 40,000 to each individual so that they can start some work on their own, so that no one is left doing this work down in next 5 years he stated.
Minister also asserted that there is no need for debate on reservation in the country and said that Union Government should not be perceived as anti Minority. He urged the youth to promote inter-caste marriages to end casteism.
Earlier, the Union Minister Ramdas Athawale reviewed the progress of social welfare schemes in Telangana with the senior officials of Telangana State.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Ministry of Housing &Urban Affairs signs MoU with RITES as Technical Support Agency for Swachhata
The introduction of Used Water Management  as a newly funded component for towns with less than 1 lakh population, has led to a paradigm shift in urban sanitation. Focusing on accelerating Solid Waste and Used Water Management, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs  signed a Memorandum of Understanding  with RITES Limited, in the presence of Mr. Manoj Joshi, Secretary, MoHUA, Ms. Roopa Mishra, JS, MoHUA, Mr. R K Dayal, Executive Director-Urban Infra and Mr. Rahul Mithal, CMD, RITES, for technical assistance for Solid Waste Management  & UWM under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.
The Technical Support Unit  of RITES will assist SBM-U for a period of 3 years. Under SWM, the areas of engagement will be process standardization and engineering design of waste management facilities, like Material Recovery Facility, legacy waste etc. Under UWM, RITES will provide technical support for standards & specification in the field of sewage and faecal sludge management and reuse, engineering design and process of waste water treatment units. RITES will further assist with preparation of model tender document and procurement in the field of sewage, wastewater management and Solid Waste Management.
Under the ambit of SBM 2.0, the thrust on sustainable solid waste management has been strengthened with the overall vision of creating garbage-free cities. The MoU between MoHUA and RITES will enable states / ULBs to implement the mission initiatives efficiently providing safe and sustainable sanitation access universally, through safe containment, collection and transportation, treatment, and reuse for greater public health impact.
Ministry of Finance
Fourth Infrastructure Working Group Meeting to be held in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh on 21st-22nd September, 2023
The meeting to focus on mobilising financial resources for investment towards resilient, sustainable and inclusive urban infrastructure of high quality
The fourth G20 Infrastructure Working Group meeting under the G20 India Presidency is scheduled to be held during 21st - 22nd September, 2023 in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. This would be the last meeting of the Infrastructure Working Group under the Indian G20 Presidency and shall bring together more than 54 delegates from the G20 member countries, guest countries and international organisations invited by India. The forum will deliberate on the key issues in continuation of the discussions held during the previous three IWG meetings. The meeting will be hosted by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India and chaired by Ministry of Finance, Government of India along with Australia and Brazil as co-chairs.
The G20 Infrastructure Working Group deliberates on various aspects of infrastructure investments, including developing infrastructure as an asset class, promoting quality urban infrastructure, Infratech, and identifying innovative instruments for mobilising financial resources for investment towards resilient, sustainable and inclusive urban infrastructure. The outcomes of the Infrastructure Working Group feed into the G20 Finance Track priorities and promote Infrastructure Development.
The fourth IWG meeting will finalise the priorities of the 2023 Infrastructure Agenda such as the World Bank report on the Enablers of inclusive Cities, the compilation of Infrastructure Taxonomies, and the infra tracker tool to track the investments made by various countries in the infrastructure sectors. During the two-day meetings, various official meetings and cultural programmes have been planned for the delegates.
On the sidelines of the IWG meetings, a discussion is also being organised in partnership with the International Finance Corporation , where representatives from institutions such as the World Bank, OECD, EBRD, and UNDP, as well as representatives from the public and private sector, will deliberate on the mechanisms to scale up private sector investments in urban infrastructure. The discussions aim to capture the private sector perspective on addressing the challenges and enabling cities to mobilise private and commercial finance.
In addition to the formal discussions, the Presidency has also arranged excursions for the delegates to experience the rich cultural heritage of Khajuraho. During their stay in Khajuraho, the delegates will visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage site at the Western Group of Temples, Adivart Museum and Raneh Falls.
The delegates will also be hosted for “Ratri Bhoj Par Samvad’  to relish the local cuisines. The Presidency has also planned a yoga session and a friendly cricket match on 23rd September 2023 for the delegates.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President greets the nation on the eve of Holi
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has greeted the people on the occasion of Holi. Following is the full text of his message -
“I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Holi – the festival of colours.
Celebrated with traditional fervour and enthusiasm throughout the country, Holi is a time for family and friends to come together and rejoice in the spirit of spontaneous, joyful celebration of life. The lighting of the bonfire on the eve of Holi symbolizes the triumph of virtue over evil.
On the auspicious occasion of Holi, let us strive to strengthen the bonds of friendship and amity that hold our society together.
May this festival bring peace, harmony, prosperity and happiness in our lives.”
Following is the Hindi version of message -
“रंगों के त्योहार होली के शुभ अवसर पर मैं देशवासियों को हार्दिक बधाई और शुभकामनाएँ देता हूँ।
देश भर में पारंपरिक हर्षोल्लास और उत्साह के साथ मनाया जाने वाला होली का त्योहार परिवार और मित्रों के साथ मिलने और जीवन की सहज, आनंदमयी उत्सव की भावना का आनंद लेने का अवसर है। होली की पूर्व-संध्या पर आयोजित किया जाने वाला 'होलिका दहन' बुराई पर अच्छाई की जीत का प्रतीक है।
होली के इस पावन अवसर पर, आइए हम अपने समाज को एक सूत्र में पिरो कर रखने वाली मित्रता और मेलजोल के बंधन को मजबूत करने का प्रयास करें।
मैं कामना करता हूं कि यह त्योहार हमारे जीवन में शांति, सौहार्द, समृद्धि और खुशियाँ लेकर आए।”
Special Service and Features
3.422 Kgs Gold worth 1.83 crores, Electronic and Cigarettes valued 25.2 lakhs seized by Chennai Air Customs
Based on intelligence, Chennai Air Customs officers intercepted four male passengers who arrived from Abu Dhabi via Ethihad Flight No. E Y-270 on 13.04.2023. On personal search of passengers, one gold chain was found concealed in under garment of each passenger. Further, a total of ten bundles of gold in rubbery paste form were found concealed in their body which on extraction yielded four gold ingots of 24k purity weighing 3065 grams. Totally, 3.422 kgs of Gold worth I .83 crores was recovered and seized under Customs Act, 1962.
Further, on examination of their baggage, electronic goods i.e mobiles, refurbished laptops and cigarettes worth 25.2 Lakhs were also seized.
Two passengers were arrested and later released on bail. Further investigation is under progress.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
RESERVATION IN TELANGANA
As per Office of Registrar General of India , the Census is a decennial exercise and the last Census was conducted in 2011, when Telangana was a part of the erstwhile State of Andhra Pradesh. The Population of Telangana separately is not available in Census.
As per Department of Personnel and Training , the percentage of reservation as on date for Scheduled Castes  and Scheduled Tribes  in Central Government posts and services are as under:-  In case of appointment by direct recruitment to civil posts and civil services on all India basis by open competition, 15% reservation for SCs and 7.5% reservation for the STs is provided.  In case of appointment by direct recruitment to civil posts and civil services on all India basis otherwise than by open competition, 16.66% reservation for SCs and 7.5% reservation for the STs is provided.  The percentage of reservation for SCs and STs is case of direct recruitment to Group C and Group D posts normally attracting candidates from a locality or a region is generally fixed on the basis of proportion of their population in the respective States/UTs.  In case of promotion, 15% reservation for SCs and 7.5% reservation for the STs is provided.
This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri A. Narayanaswamy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
ECoR GM FELICITATED AMIT ROHIDAS
East Coast Railway General Manager Shri Sharad Kumar Srivastava felicitated its Senior Sports Officer and defender of Indian Men’s Hockey Team Amit Rohidas, today, in presence of East Coast Railway Sports Association  President Poddar, General Secretary Ashok Kumar Mishra and GM’s Secretary Shri Biswajit Bhoi for bringing laurel to the country, especially to Indian Railways. Shri Rohidas is the key member of Indian Hockey Team recently bagged Silver Medal in Commonwealth Games.
Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan holds bilateral meeting with his Brazilian counterpart in Bali
Union Education and Skill Development Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan held a bilateral meeting with HE Victor Godoy, Minister of Education, Brazil, in Bali today.
The Ministers had fruitful discussions on deepening the bilateral engagements in education, entrepreneurship, research and innovation. They agreed to revive the Joint Working Group engagements in the areas of education and skill development between our two countries.
Shri Pradhan said that research collaborations in priority areas like energy security, collaborations in traditional medicine, preventive healthcare, yoga, ayurveda & digital technologies, linkages between Higher Education Institutions & Skill institutions are key areas that can immensely benefit both India and Brazil.
HE Victor Godoy expressed his keenness to deepen academic and research engagements and make our coperation in education more vibrant. As a G20 Troika co-chair, he also expressed Brazil’s support to India in taking forward the EdWG agenda during our upcoming presidency.
Later, Shri Pradhan also interacted with Indian community at Seminyak in Bali.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Curtain Raiser – 24th Meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council at Bhubaneswar on 28th February, 2020
The 24th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council, comprising of the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal, is scheduled to be held on 28th February, 2020 at Bhubaneswar.
The Union Minister for Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah will chair this meeting. Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik, is the Vice-Chairman and host. Chief Ministers of Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand respectively, Shri Nitish Kumar, Ms. Mamata Banerjee and Shri Hemant Soren, will also participate. The Chief Ministers will be accompanied by two Cabinet Ministers from each State, as members of the Council, and Chief Secretary & other senior officers of the States. Secretaries/Additional Secretaries and other senior officers of the Central Government will also attend the meeting. Last meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council was last held in Kolkata on October 1, 2018.
The upcoming meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council will deliberate upon nearly 4 dozen issues which inter alia include inter-State water issues, power transmission lines, royalty on & operationalization of coals mines, land & forest clearance of rail projects, investigation of heinous offences, cattle smuggling across country’s borders, lack of telecom & banking infrastructure in remote areas, petroleum projects, sharing pattern on centrally collected revenues etc. With such senior level participation of political leadership and officers, a large number of issues are likely to get resolved by consensus in the meeting.
Five Zonal Councils were set up in the year 1957 under Section 15-22 of the States Reorganization Act, 1956. The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these 5 Zonal Councils and Chief Minister of the host State, to be chosen by rotation every year, is the Vice-Chairman. Two more Ministers from each State are nominated as Members by the Governor. The Council takes up issues involving Centre and States, and among Member-States falling in the Zone and thus provide a forum for resolving disputes and irritants between them.
The Zonal Councils discuss broad range of issues, which include boundary related disputes, security, infrastructure related matters like road, transport, industries, water and power etc., matters pertaining to forests & environment, housing, education, food security, tourism, transport, etc.